We recently connected with Angel Rafael and have shared our conversation below.

Angel, appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

In September 2024, I launched an initiative called “Suenyo Sessions.” Suenyo Sessions aims to introduce indie artists to audiences who may have never encountered their work before. This exposure happens not only through a live concert series at West Art in Lancaster, PA, but also through a video series that will soon be available on YouTube for those who can’t attend in person.

This project is particularly meaningful to me because it brings together a range of skills I’ve developed over the years, including videography, project management, and connecting people across creative communities. I received a grant from Lancaster’s Equity Council to complete this project, which has been a significant endorsement of its mission. Suenyo Sessions is a passion project that I’ve done small iterations of in the past but with different names, and I believe I’ve finally hit the nail on the head so to speak thanks to all the experience I have with the projects I’ve done leading up to Suenyo Sessions.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

First and foremost, I want readers to understand that I’m a storyteller who uses different art forms to convey meaningful narratives. I don’t limit myself to a single role—musician, photographer, director, or artist—because storytelling is at the heart of everything I do. My goal in life is to explore various mediums to create art that resonates and tells a story, whether it’s through a song, a photograph, a documentary, or a painting.
Since childhood, I’ve primarily been a musician, but I’ve always been curious about different art forms and never allowed myself to be boxed into any one genre. I saw art as a sandbox where I could experiment freely, even though music was my main focus for many years.

In my business, I offer a range of creative services, mainly photography and videography, though I’ve also ventured into web design and graphic design when a project calls for it. What sets me apart is my commitment to listening. When working with clients, my goal is to align my creative vision with their needs. While my style and training naturally influence my work, I’m always focused on being adaptable for each client. What’s the purpose of having a personal style if the person hiring you doesn’t feel fully heard or satisfied?
This is why conversations, client calls, and mood boards are essential to my process. These steps help ensure that no one’s time is wasted and that we’re a good fit for each other. I believe in getting to know each client well before jumping into a project so that we can create something impactful together. Working with a client is a collaboration, and my ideal client values that dialogue and is as invested in the outcome as I am.

Have you ever had to pivot?

My pivot into photography and videography was a major turning point. I had been taking photos and videos at concerts in Philadelphia for about 3-4 years, using a camera loaned to me by my friend, Wilson Ching. At the time, I had just moved back into my dad’s house after living out of my car in and couch-surfing in Philly and Puerto Rico. Then, one day, I got a text from Wilson saying he needed the camera back. I was grateful to have had it for as long as I did, but the timing felt tough.
I was in a rough place—financially, socially, and confidence-wise—all in the middle of COVID. The day after Wilson picked up the camera, I went on a hike with a friend, Raine Dawn, an Indigenous artist from Central PA. It was cold, and while I didn’t have a digital camera, I did have an old film camera-film is how I originally got into photography. We hiked up a beautiful hill in Southern Lancaster County, surrounded by sleeping trees, rolling hills, and a sky dotted with little clouds. We reached the top, out of breath, and it felt like stepping into a painting. I lifted my film camera to capture the scene—and it didn’t fire. Either the gears were too cold, or the battery wires had shorted. Whatever the reason, I missed the photo. I put the camera to my chest, closed my eyes, and wondered, “How the hell am I going to keep up with photography and videography if I don’t even have a camera?” Raine captured a photo of me at that moment.

She went on to teach me about the power of thought patterns and visualizing myself having what I wanted, rather than just wishing for it. Fast forward a year, and I was able to buy a Sony A7S III, which was—and still is—the biggest investment I’ve made in my artistic career, aside from my college degree. That camera has taken me to Ghana, Puerto Rico multiple times, and recently, to Europe, where I filmed a documentary. What’s wild is that, while I could picture myself with a new camera that day on the hill, I couldn’t have imagined all the doors it would open and the blessings it would bring.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

I think many people enter the creative field as a form of therapy in response to something difficult, and I’m no different. I had both a beautiful and traumatic childhood, and like so many, I turned to creative outlets as a way to cope. Whether it’s video games, sports, music, or art, it’s natural to dive into something to avoid obsessively dwelling on what hurts.

But there’s a point where any passion becomes challenging, and that’s when many people quit. I didn’t. I dove even deeper into music and my art, skipping classes in high school to make beats in the computer lab. Those early beats were trash, but I kept going. This hyper-focus opened doors I hadn’t imagined. People who are proficient at one instrument often pick up others—not because they’re geniuses (though some are), but because they’ve trained themselves to focus intensely, one task at a time. This journey from personal healing to artistic dedication is what drives me to pursue excellence—not just for myself but in every project I take on.

For me, creating goes beyond coping; it’s about finding meaning in each challenge. Each project, each performance, is a way to turn that drive into something lasting. My mission is simple: to bring that relentless dedication into every collaboration, using everything I’ve learned to create art that feels meaningful. Whether it’s a photoshoot, a music video, or an event, I want it to resonate—something that we’re proud to have created together.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.angelrafael.art
• Instagram: angelrafaelmusic
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/angelrafaelmusica
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angel-r-sanchez-ii/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/%C3%81ngelRafael
• Other: https://angelrafael.bandcamp.com/

Image Credits

Photo 1: (Me holding the camera with blue sky) Raine Dawn – This photo was referenced in the question about pivoting.
Photo 2: Self Portrait – Assisted by Liz Kamalich
Photo 3: This photo was taken in Luquillo, Puerto Rico.
Photo 4: Taken by Carlos A Colón Ruiz in Paris, France during and interview I was filming with translator Benjamin Haroun
Photo 5: Taken by Eddie Luks Einbender during a concert I organized in my hometown of Lancaster, PA
Photo 6: Taken by Liz Kamalich in a nature preserve in Lancaster, PA
Photo 7: A photo I took of percussionist Rick Abisaí at a Bombazo in La Perla, Puerto Rico
Photo 8: A photo I took of Dana Kinsey, The Poet Laureate of Lancaster, PA of 2024 who was interviewed by Canvas Rebel earlier this year.